Untitled (Chelsea, New York) c. 1960s

This photogravure of Chelsea, New York, was created by Ann Treer at some point during her lifetime. Looking at it, I’m immediately drawn to the image's shadowy atmosphere and the tonal range from light to dark. It’s as if Treer has distilled the essence of a rain-soaked city street into a dreamlike scene. I love the way the rain blurs the hard edges of the buildings and cars, creating a sense of movement and impermanence. The surface has a kind of velvety texture, which gives the image depth and invites you to sink into it. Check out the reflections on the wet asphalt, how they mirror and distort the world above, adding to the feeling of disorientation and ambiguity. Treer's work reminds me of some of the early photography of Alfred Stieglitz, who was also interested in capturing the mood and atmosphere of the city. Both artists see photography as a means of exploring the subjective experience of seeing. Like all good art, this image embraces ambiguity and offers multiple ways of interpreting the world.